the yips...

so, about a week ago, i went out to my local course and beat the HELL out of my personal best by six strokes!!! A par 54 18 hole setup that i couldn't break par on and, all of a sudden, i shoot 6 under par with 5 60 footers made in one day. I understand that most of it was a strong mixture of luck and timing but since then, i haven't made a putt from 30 feet within a week... 

 

I guess what I'm asking is, how do you guys rise above it? I've been reading Zen Golf, but to no avail...

 

I know pretty much all it is is that I'm psyching myself out, but it scares the hell of of me that I can practice from 20 feet away and miss 3 out of 4...

 

Someone help!!!

 

DarwinDave

[Eric Day]

Sounds like you need to slow your putt down, making long putts makes me raise my putt speed even on shorter putts and I start shanking them. I have to slow down and relax and my putting comes back.

[Eric Day]

I should also ass not to worry so much about practice putting, I am maybe the worst practice putter, but a great putter when playing. I would suggest changing your practice to a more game like practice.

For example, bring 2 putters max, and make it gam. If you have somebody with you 21 or horse is always good. If your by your self then playing a scored putting system is the way to go. There is one really good one online somewhere, but I can't remimber the name (someone help) you putt from every side of the basket and each spot has a point value.

The idea of only using 2 putters is to stay with what you are going to use in the game, and it makes you focus more. Knowing you don't have 4 putts makes you work to make that first putt.

Anouther tip is practice like you play, if you use a mini on every putt, you should practice with a mini. This keeps you in a groove. Also some have things they like to do when they putt, like flipping the disc or doing a few practice swings. If you do this in the game bring it to practice. I think doing this will improve both your practice and your game.

[ROBEY the one.]

perfect putt scorecard

[Eric Day]

Thanks Robey, I think I'll hit this up this weekend.

[Jeff Nichols]

Well congrats on the good Round Dave! I love those days. 

I have read Zen Golf twice now. It helps me deal with my screw ups and get over them. Playing one shot at a time, more or less. But, it hasn't affected my scores a ton. BUT, I am trying to stick with it and use the methods outlined in the book. I seem to have more fun when I do, and I ALWAYS play better when I am having fun instead of being pissed off. Lol. I am good at that. :)

 

I notice when I do my putting practice, I am MUCH more consistent and relaxed then out on the course. I make a lot more putts at the practice basket than on the course, until lately. I started realizing how much more I think when putting during a game than practice. So, I started making sure I line up, don't think about it, and putt. Just like practice. I am putting MUCH better on the course since doing this. 

[Jim Coonradt]

Don't worry. Be happy. It's a game. Putts are all in your head.